Bamburg History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

Etymology of Bamburg

What does the name Bamburg mean?

The name Bamburg is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Banbury, a town in the county of Oxfordshire.

Early Origins of the Bamburg family

The surname Bamburg was first found in Oxfordshire, at Banbury, a market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell, now in the Cherwell District. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Banesberie 1 but a Saxon chieftain is said to have built a stockade there as early as the 6th century. Literally, the place name means "stronghold of a man called Ban(n)a," from the Old English personal name + "burh." 2 Banbury Castle was built in 1135 by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, in a motte and bailey design. King Stephen claimed the castle in 1139 but later that year he returned it to the bishop. Archeological digs in the 1970s confirmed that it was rebuilt between 1225 and 1250. In 1648, it was demolished and stones from the castle were later used to build houses in the town.

Early History of the Bamburg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bamburg research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bamburg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bamburg Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bamburg were recorded, including Banbury, Bandbury, Bandebury, Bandury, Bambury, Bamberry and many more.

Early Notables of the Bamburg family

More information is included under the topic Early Bamburg Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bamburg family to Ireland

Some of the Bamburg family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bamburg family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bamburg family emigrate to North America: Ann Banbury who settled in Baltimore in 1790; Jane Banbury settled in Pennsylvania in 1685; William BamBerry who settled in Philadelphia in 1836. In Newfoundland, one of the family was a Captain in the seal fishery in 1833.

Sources +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)